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Foss S, Petty CR, Howell C, Mendonca J, Bosse A, Waber DP, Wright RJ, Enlow MB. Associations among maternal lifetime trauma, psychological symptoms in pregnancy, and infant stress reactivity and regulation. Dev Psychopathol 2023; 35:1714-1731. [PMID: 35678173 PMCID: PMC9732151 DOI: 10.1017/s0954579422000402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Maternal trauma has intergenerational implications, including worse birth outcomes, altered brain morphology, and poorer mental health. Research investigating intergenerational effects of maternal trauma on infant stress reactivity and regulation is limited. Maternal mental health during pregnancy may be a contributor: psychopathology is a sequela of trauma exposure and predictor of altered self-regulatory capacity in offspring of affected mothers. We assessed associations among maternal lifetime trauma and infant stress responsivity, mediated by psychological symptoms in pregnancy. Mothers reported lifetime trauma history and anxiety, depressive, and posttraumatic stress symptoms during pregnancy. At infant age 6 months, stress reactivity and regulation were assessed via maternal behavior ratings (Infant Behavior Questionnaire-Revised, IBQ-R) and behavioral (negative mood) and physiological (respiratory sinus arrhythmia, RSA) markers during a laboratory stressor (Still-Face Paradigm). Maternal trauma was directly associated with lower infant physiological regulation and indirectly associated with lower levels of both infant behavioral and physiological regulation via higher maternal anxiety during pregnancy. Maternal trauma was also indirectly associated with higher infant reactivity via higher maternal anxiety during pregnancy. Post hoc analyses indicated differential contributions of maternal prenatal versus postnatal anxiety to infant outcomes. Findings highlight potential contributory mechanisms toward maladaptive child stress response, which has been associated with poor behavioral, cognitive, and academic outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Foss
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Carter R. Petty
- Institutional Centers for Clinical and Translational Research, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Caroline Howell
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Juliana Mendonca
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Abigail Bosse
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Deborah P. Waber
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rosalind J. Wright
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Kravis Children’s Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Institute for Exposomic Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Michelle Bosquet Enlow
- Department of Psychiatry, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Zhou AM, Lytle MN, Youatt EA, Pérez-Edgar K, LoBue V, Buss KA. Examining transactional associations between maternal internalizing symptoms, infant negative emotionality, and infant respiratory sinus arrhythmia. Biol Psychol 2023; 182:108625. [PMID: 37423511 PMCID: PMC10528331 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsycho.2023.108625] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2022] [Revised: 06/11/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
The current study examined transactional associations between maternal internalizing symptoms, infant negative emotionality, and infant resting respiratory sinus arrhythmia (RSA). We used data from the Longitudinal Attention and Temperament Study (N = 217) to examine the associations between maternal internalizing symptoms, infant negative emotionality, and infant resting RSA from 4-months to 18-months using a random-intercepts cross-lagged panel model. We found that mothers with higher average internalizing symptoms have infants with higher levels of resting RSA. However, there were no stable, between-individual differences in infant negative emotionality across time. Additionally, we found significant negative within-dyad cross-lagged associations from maternal internalizing symptoms to subsequent measures of infant negative emotionality, as well as a significant negative cross-lagged association from maternal internalizing symptoms to child resting RSA after 12-months of age. Lastly, we find evidence for infant-directed effects of negative emotionality and resting RSA to maternal internalizing symptoms. Results highlight the complex, bidirectional associations in maternal-infant dyads during the first two years of life, and the importance of considering the co-development of infant reactivity and regulatory processes in the context of maternal internalizing symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna M Zhou
- Department of Psychology, The University of Utah, United States.
| | - Marisa N Lytle
- Department of Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University, United States
| | - Elizabeth A Youatt
- Department of Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University, United States
| | - Koraly Pérez-Edgar
- Department of Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University, United States
| | - Vanessa LoBue
- Department of Psychology, Rutgers University-Newark, United States
| | - Kristin A Buss
- Department of Psychology, The Pennsylvania State University, United States
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Lahtela H, Nolvi S, Flykt M, Kataja EL, Eskola E, Pelto J, Bridgett DJ, Karlsson H, Karlsson L, Korja R. Mother-infant interaction and maternal postnatal psychological distress are associated with negative emotional reactivity among infants and toddlers- A FinnBrain Birth Cohort study. Infant Behav Dev 2023; 72:101843. [PMID: 37285708 DOI: 10.1016/j.infbeh.2023.101843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2023] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Studies have reported mixed findings regarding the effects of mother-infant interaction and maternal distress on children's negative emotional reactivity. In the current study (N = 134 and 107), we examined the effects of maternal Emotional Availability (sensitivity, structuring, non-intrusiveness and non-hostility) and maternal psychological distress on negative reactivity among children in the FinnBrain birth cohort study. In addition, the possible moderating effect of mother-infant interaction on the associations between maternal psychological distress and children's negative reactivity was examined. We used questionnaires to asses maternal psychological distress, observations of mother-infant interaction and observations as well maternal reports of child temperament to overcome the key limitations of many studies relying on single-method assessments. Our results showed that higher maternal sensitivity and structuring at 8 months of child's age were associated with lower mother-reported negative reactivity among children at 24 months. Higher maternal postnatal distress associated with higher parent-reported negative reactivity in children at 12 and 24 months of age when the effects of prenatal distress and the quality of mother-infant interaction were controlled for. Mother-infant interaction and maternal psychological distress did not associate with observations of child negative reactivity. We found no moderation effects of mother-infant interaction regarding the associations between maternal distress and children's negative emotional reactivity. Our findings reflect the importance of developing interventions to reduce the maternal distress symptoms while enhancing maternal sensitivity and structuring to prevent the possible harmful effects of these on child negative reactivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hetti Lahtela
- FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study, Turku Brain and Mind Center, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Turku, Finland; Department of Psychology, University of Turku, Finland.
| | - Saara Nolvi
- FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study, Turku Brain and Mind Center, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Turku, Finland; Department of Psychology, University of Turku, Finland; Turku Institute for Advanced Studies, University of Turku, Finland
| | - Marjo Flykt
- Faculty of Medicine, department of Psychology, University of Helsinki, Finland; University of Tampere, Department of Psychology
| | - Eeva-Leena Kataja
- FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study, Turku Brain and Mind Center, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Turku, Finland; Department of Psychology, University of Turku, Finland
| | - Eeva Eskola
- FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study, Turku Brain and Mind Center, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Turku, Finland; Department of Psychology, University of Turku, Finland
| | - Juho Pelto
- FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study, Turku Brain and Mind Center, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Turku, Finland; University of Turku, Department of Mathematics and Statistics
| | | | - Hasse Karlsson
- FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study, Turku Brain and Mind Center, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Turku, Finland; Centre for Population Health Research, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Finland; Department of Psychiatry, University of Turku and Turku University Hospital, Finland
| | - Linnea Karlsson
- FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study, Turku Brain and Mind Center, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Turku, Finland; Centre for Population Health Research, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Finland; Department of Pediatrics, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Finland
| | - Riikka Korja
- FinnBrain Birth Cohort Study, Turku Brain and Mind Center, Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Turku, Finland; Department of Psychology, University of Turku, Finland
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Wu Q, Cui M. How much maternal sensitivity is adaptive: Fear temperament, high-intensity fear, and preschooler's behavioral problems. J Affect Disord 2023; 328:200-209. [PMID: 36806599 PMCID: PMC10006390 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2023.02.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 02/18/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The current study focused on the role of temperament and parenting in contributing to high-intensity fear during toddlerhood and its impact on behavioral problems in the preschool age. METHODS A sample of 1292 low-income rural families were recruited, where infant fear temperament at 6 months old and toddler's fear expressions at 15 months old were observed and assessed. Maternal sensitivity was also observed and assessed at both time points. Mothers rated their children's behavioral problems at 36 months old. RESULTS A path model revealed quadratic effects of maternal sensitivity on the development of high-intensity fear at 15 months, in that a moderate level of maternal sensitivity was linked with higher high-intensity fear for children with extra high temperamental fear, while high and low levels of maternal sensitivity were linked with higher high-intensity fear for those with extra low temperamental fear. A quadratic effect was also found, where high maternal sensitivity channeled toddlers with low normal fear towards internalizing behaviors at 36 months. Finally, a quadratic effect suggested that high maternal sensitivity increased the risks for externalizing behaviors at 36 months for toddlers with high versus low levels of high-intensity fear. LIMITATIONS The low-income, rural community sample limited study generalizability. CONCLUSIONS These findings speak to the complexity of person-environment interactions in the development of fear and associated behavioral problems, with implications for future research and intervention efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiong Wu
- Department of Human Development & Family Science, College of Health and Human Sciences, Florida State University, Sandels 225, 120 Convocation Way, Tallahassee, FL 32306, United States of America.
| | - Ming Cui
- Department of Human Development & Family Science, College of Health and Human Sciences, Florida State University, Sandels 225, 120 Convocation Way, Tallahassee, FL 32306, United States of America
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Foss S, So RP, Petty CR, Waber DP, Wright RJ, Bosquet Enlow M. Effects of Maternal and Child Lifetime Traumatic Stress Exposures, Infant Temperament, and Caregiving Quality on Preschoolers' Executive Functioning. Dev Neuropsychol 2022; 47:327-352. [PMID: 36475997 PMCID: PMC9837737 DOI: 10.1080/87565641.2022.2147180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
We examined effects of maternal and child lifetime traumatic stress exposures, infant temperament, and caregiving quality on parent ratings of preschoolers' executive functioning (EF). Maternal lifetime trauma was associated with preschoolers' EF problems; this association was mediated by greater child trauma exposure. Infant temperament was associated with EF abilities, particularly among females. Among males, infant extraversion/surgency mediated the association of maternal lifetime trauma with poorer child EF. Caregiving quality was negatively associated with maternal and child trauma exposures but did not predict child EF. Findings have implications for interventions to identify children at risk for poor EF and optimize outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sophie Foss
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Rachel P. So
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Carter R. Petty
- Institutional Centers for Clinical and Translational Research, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Deborah P. Waber
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Rosalind J. Wright
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Public Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Kravis Children’s Hospital, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
- Institute for Exposomic Research, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA
| | - Michelle Bosquet Enlow
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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Wu Q. Trajectory of Maternal Postpartum Depressive Symptoms Moderates the Bidirectional Associations between Maternal Intrusive Parenting and Infant Fear. J Affect Disord 2021; 292:359-368. [PMID: 34139409 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2021.05.099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 04/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The association between maternal intrusive parenting and infant fear remains poorly understood, especially in the persistence of maternal postpartum depression. The current study investigated the moderating role of maternal postpartum depressive symptoms on the bidirectional link between maternal intrusive parenting and infant fear, among a sample of low-income, rural mothers. METHODS . A sample of 1,292 mothers reported their depressive symptoms at 2, 6, 15, and 24 months postpartum, whereas their intrusive parenting behavior and infant fear were observed at infants age 6, 15, and 24 months. RESULTS . Latent growth curve models revealed that maternal postpartum depressive symptoms increased over 2 years. From 6 months to 24 months, maternal intrusive parenting remained stable, and infant fear increased. Moderation analyses revealed that when mothers had low levels of initial depressive symptoms, a higher initial level of maternal intrusive parenting predicted a faster increase of infant fear. Additionally, when mothers' depressive symptoms showed a fast increase, a higher initial level of infant fear predicted a faster reduction in maternal intrusive parenting. LIMITATIONS . The low-income, rural community sample limited the generalizability of the current findings. CONCLUSIONS . The interplay between maternal intrusive parenting and infant fear supports a transactional model of child development in the context of maternal depression, with implications for future research and intervention efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiong Wu
- Department of Human Development & Family Science, College of Health and Human Sciences, Florida State University, Sandels 322, 120 Convocation Way, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, United States.
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Savory K, Garay S, Sumption L, Kelleher J, Daughters K, Janssen A, Van Goozen S, John R. Prenatal symptoms of anxiety and depression associated with sex differences in both maternal perceptions of one year old infant temperament and researcher observed infant characteristics. J Affect Disord 2020; 264:383-392. [PMID: 32056774 PMCID: PMC7005670 DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2019.11.057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2019] [Revised: 10/29/2019] [Accepted: 11/10/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Sex differences in the behaviour of children exposed to prenatal maternal depression and anxiety have been reported. This study compared depression and anxiety symptoms reported by mothers at term with maternal perceptions of one year old male and female infant temperament and with researcher observed infant characteristics, identifying differences for males and females with both approaches. METHODS Infant behaviour and temperament was assessed via maternally completed questionnaires including Infant Behavioural Questionnaire Revised - Short form and by researcher administered subcomponents of Laboratory Temperament Assessment Battery and Bayley Scales of Infant Development III. RESULTS For female infants, higher prenatal scores for depression and anxiety were associated with maternal perceptions of lower bonding, higher aggression and negativity, and lower soothability (n = 67 mother-infant dyads). In the laboratory assessment, intensity of escape was the only female infant factor significantly associated with maternal mood (n = 41). For male infants, there was minimal association between prenatal mood scores and maternal perceptions (n = 46) whereas in the laboratory assessment (n = 35) depression scores were associated with expressive language, facial interest and facial fear while anxiety scores were associated with expressive and receptive language, parent behaviour and facial fear. LIMITATIONS Findings may be restricted to a single ethnicity or mode of delivery. Fewer infants attended the infant assessment. A laboratory setting may mask symptomatology in females. CONCLUSIONS Atypical maternal perceptions may present a barrier to the early identification of male infants impacted by maternal depression and anxiety.
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Affiliation(s)
- K. Savory
- Biomedicine Division, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AX United Kingdom
| | - S.M. Garay
- Biomedicine Division, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AX United Kingdom
| | - L.A. Sumption
- Biomedicine Division, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AX United Kingdom
| | - J.S. Kelleher
- Biomedicine Division, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AX United Kingdom
| | - K. Daughters
- Neuroscience and Mental Health Research Institute, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF24 4HQ United Kingdom
| | - A.B. Janssen
- Biomedicine Division, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AX United Kingdom
| | - S. Van Goozen
- Cardiff University Centre for Human Developmental Science, School of Psychology, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AT United Kingdom
| | - R.M. John
- Biomedicine Division, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, CF10 3AX United Kingdom,Corresponding author.
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